BANNED Crewe car clamper Iain Watson has been warned he faces jail after being found guilty of illicit clamping activities.

Unlicensed clamper Watson, 32, denied four charges of demanding a payment for the release of a device from vehicles in January and February this year.

He then admitted one of the offences during the course of his two-day trial at Crewe Magistrates Court and was convicted of two of the three others.

Watson, who gave evidence only through a prepared statement having declined to take the stand, claimed that although he was present during the incidents, he had no involvement in applying or removing the clamps. He said he never demanded payment from anyone – and alleged that a colleague, Jason Hughes, had carried out the clamping and sought payment.

Prosecutor Neil Audley said Watson was not licensed by the Security Industry Association and was thus barred from carrying out any regulated activities of that kind.

He said that at Chester Crown Court last year, Watson was convicted of 20 offences of false representation in carrying out wheel-clamping. He was forced to pay a total of £8,000 back to his victims.

Mr Audley told the court: “Having gone through those proceedings, he should be really aware of the obligation on him to hold a licence.

“Jason Hughes has been present but in reality it’s been Mr Watson who has been the lead person.

“He has committed offences by demanding and collecting payment for the release of a vehicle that had been clamped.”

Colin Drew, defending, said the owners of the clamped vehicles were ‘trying to make life difficult’ for Watson.

He added: “The fact is that wheel clampers are about as popular as a heron in a fish pond and their ability to upset people never ceases to amaze me.”

District Judge Nicholas Sanders found Watson guilty of three of the charges, including the one to which he pleaded guilty, and acquitted him of the remaining charge.